There are three shrines in Kumano area, Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine.
Kumano area is a power spot.
There are various stories why this area is called Kumano. This is a story. According to an old book, Kii-Zoku-Fuudoki, it says Kumano’s “Kuma” means to seclude oneself from society. In other words, “Kuma” means a hidden place or gods. “No” means a place. Therefore, Kumano means a place of deities.
In the past, the 1st generation, Emperor Jinmu visited Kumano on the way to eastern area of Japan. He saw Nachi big fall and worshipped the fall as a deity. This was the beginning of religious faith of Mt.Nachi. Then, as I mentioned in my other blog, Emperor Jinmu went to Yamato Province guided by Yatagarasu and became the 1st generation of Emperor in Kashihara-no-miya.
In 317, several buildings were built up in Mt. Nachi and deities from the Nachi fall were taken from the Nachi fall to here and worshipped. One of the deities is Kumano-Fusumi-no-Ookami or called Izanami-no-Mikoto who is the first goddess in Japan. 13 deities are worshipped here in total. A part of her name “Fusumi” has same meaning of “Musubi” means relation. Because of this, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine is worshipped as the god of wish fulfillment.
The Nachi big fall is called Hiro Jinja Shrine which is an associated shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and worships Oonamuchi-no-kami.
See, Kumano is a place of deities and a holy place.
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